Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: 2019 Report

This report by the National Institute of Building Sciences quantifies the return on investment in disaster mitigation across various hazards, including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes. The analysis concludes that for every $1 spent on mitigation, society saves up to $13 in recovery costs. The report evaluates both private- and public-sector mitigation efforts such as improved building codes, infrastructure upgrades, and relocation programs. It offers detailed cost-benefit data that support resilience investment and has become a cornerstone reference for grant applications, policy discussions, and planning processes. The resource is essential for planners, municipal leaders, emergency managers, and advocates seeking data to justify resilience investments.